Jenny Craig's Metabolic Max and Bodybugg from Biggest Loser

I just saw an advert today for Jenny Craig's new Metabolic Max programme.

They see it as innovative and using a "powerful new tool" to strengthen monitoring of eating and activity.  Is it true?  Well, it's not exactly new.  It's basically Jenny Craig (which isn't a bad idea really) with a BodyMedia activity monitor.  This has had a few different names including BodyBugg and GoWear Fit, all made by BodyMedia.  It's currently just called the BodyMedia activity monitor but it's the same thing.  (In the UK it's sold as Ki Fit).

It's been around for a few years-every noticed the bands on the arms of all the Biggest Loser contestants?  BodyBugg!

I've been using a GoWear Fit for a few weeks now and really like it.  Basically you sign up to the Bodymedia website and key in your details (weight, gender etc) and then wear the band on your upper arm all day.  It calculates activity, how intense it is, how many steps you walk, how many calories you burn and how well you sleep.  They say this is due to the combination of an accelerometer, galvanometer  and measurements of heat flux and skin temperature.  The other big part of it is the calorie logging.  Each day you're meant to log food eaten and it calculates calories and macronutrients.  I eat too much sugar!
I've really enjoyed having it and it has encouraged me to move more.  Interesting things were the realisation that I could burn as many calories on days when I walked a lot or went out dancing with friends as when I went to the gym.  It's nice to know that general activity counts-doesn't always have to be gym.  It also highlights the importance of cutting calorie intake-you can see how hard it is to burn extra versus just eating a little less.

This is mine from  yesterday.  Numbers on the left are targets and the ones on the right are what I achieved.  Because it was a weekend my activity was good.  I never seem to hit my sleep target though!  I haven't logged my calorie intake for the past couple of weeks-holidays!  I went to the gym in the morning so you can see the spike in the activity.  Later in the afternoon I went for a walk and did some shopping so there's more activity and lots of steps.

Worth it?
It costs about $200 US for the armband and more again to subscribe to the website which is essential to use it.  I got mine cheaper on ebay though and it came with 3 months free.  After a while you can kind of estimate your burn anyway so you could possibly have it for a while and sell it on.  I love mine though and find it does make me move more.  I find the sleep function really handy.

Problems:
It is kind of obvious around your arm.  Nobody has mentioned it, but it's tempting to just wear baggy sleeves all the time!  Cost is also another issue.  There's an initial outlay and website subscription.  It comes with one armband but it's nice to have extra.  They charge a ridiculous amount for shipping.
I love the sleep monitor.  It's helped explain why I wake up feeling tired lots of the time.  I don't actually spend as long asleep as I should or think I am!

Nice things:
The newer models have bluetooth and there are now apps for iPhone and Android (not that I have either) so that you can monitor activity during the day.  Alternatively just get the display watch (extra)

Alternatives:
-Fitbit.  It's cheaper but more of a pedometer.   It does monitor sleep efficiency though.  Advantage is that it's cheaper.  Disadvantages mentioned by people on various blogs are possible inaccuracy and poor build quality.  Some people love it though.
-Pedometer.  A good one will accurately gauge steps taken during the day and encourage activity.
-Heart rate monitor.  Only good for workouts but encourages you to work harder
-Calculate basal metabolic rate and then calorie needs using these calculators and use a free online site to calculate intake

I like my GoWear Fit though.  It's a little reminder to keep going.  I also like graphs and numbers so it's appealing!  The Jenny Craig plan sounds like it would work by keeping activity up while providing clients with a reduced calorie diet (no pesky decisions to make about what to eat) and motivational counselling (huge!).  It's bound to be expensive though-certainly way out of my budget-so I'll be sticking with my GoWear Fit and trying to make my own food...with less chocolate!  My support systems will be through forums on Leigh Peele's site (love it!) and the Red Carpet Ready forum.  Wish me luck!